Written by Monique Jacques
Not only is the Paul R. Carter College of Business Administration making changes to its building’s appearance, but it is also seeking a new representation in the form of a logo. And it’s asking for students for help.
COBA is hosting a campuswide student competition for the creation of this new logo. The contest that began March 3 will end this Monday, March 28, at 4 p.m. Participants can submit up to five entries, which must be reproducible in various forms, to be used on merchandise and publications. Logos will be judged on four criteria: originality, incorporation of required lettering, creativity and concept, and visual appeal. When the final decision is announced Friday, April 22, the winner will be awarded $500.
“We could have hired a firm or agency, but I think our students know us best,” Bryan Burks, dean of the College of Business Administration, said. “They know what we stand for, so I’d rather pay our students than to bring someone in.”
The executive team for the competition is composed of three faculty members and select student leaders from Harding’s chapter of the nationally accredited American Marketing Association, who decided it would be best to open the contest to all students, not only business majors.
“We wanted to allow all students to enter so we could utilize the creative abilities of as many individuals as possible,” Tyler Samuel, AMA executive committee member, said. “We have a lot of talent on this campus, and to close that off to only one area of the campus would be silly.”
The current COBA logo is the result of a similar contest held eight years ago, but with the addition of Paul R. Carter to the college’s name and the building renovation and expansion, Burks said COBA was due for a change in symbol as well.
“A byproduct of that change is to generate excitement in the students and give them an opportunity to be a part of the future,” Burks said. “Whether they win or not, they will know that they had a part in it when they see the logo.”
Not only is this competition allowing students to produce something with their hands, it is providing a leadership experience for those on the executive committee.
“I hope that this can be a project that we, the students on the administrative side, can look back on and be proud to know that we were able to help this project succeed,” Samuel said. “I know for myself, it has been a great experience to work with a committee made up of both COBA faculty and students to organize and execute this contest.”
COBA offers many opportunities for business students to put their abilities to use through organizations and team competitions outside the classroom. Burks said that although they do not have anything like this contest planned for the future, they are interested in finding more occasions to do so.
“The best thing we can do for our students is to let them have a good experience, give them opportunities, and to let them feel appreciated and listened to,” Burks said. “Any opportunity like this, to be involved, is going to improve future relations with our students.”
